About

Boundless Connections Technology Center

$5,042

pledged of $5,000 goal

24

backers

What is a prototype?

A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

Proof of Concept

Explorations that test ideas and functionality.

Functional Prototype

Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.

Appearance Prototype

Looks like the final product, but is not functional.

Design Prototype

Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.

Production Prototype

Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.

Prototype Gallery

These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.

The development of the Boundless Connections Technology Center in Olean, NY is a pilot initiative that will provide a place for the community to connect and engage with technology. This 3-million-dollar project will roll out in phases starting with this Kickstarter campaign for pre-sale memberships and sponsors.

Boundless Connections Technology Centers will do for technology what the YMCA has done for sports and fitness – make it accessible for everyone. The programs and events are designed to develop a tech pipeline and create a pathway for people to engage and solve local challenges with technology. These programs and events are tailored to various interest groups by exploring tech topics such as “Technology for Real Estate Agents,” “Technology for Parents,” and “Tech for Fitness and Sports.” We will also facilitate regular community discussions on implementing technology in rural areas like ours – like coordinating transportation and child care.

Our grand opening is March 15th, 2017 with the following amenities:

1 hour topic discussions

Wifi Hotspot

"How do I...?" assistance

Touchscreen laptops

Gaming consoles & games

HD Projector

Headphones

Conference room

Repair room with tools

Comfortable seating options

Charging ports and outlets

Work desks and tables

Self-serve coffee/tea

Vending machine snacks

Co-owners Mike Marvin and Christina Lopez say their hometown is the perfect place to develop a tech sector. “Our business is a perfect fit for the changes in downtown Olean. We already help businesses do what they do best by making sure their technology keeps up with them. We cater to small- and medium-sized businesses that are not ready to hire an entire IT department but need more than one technician to maintain their daily functions. We coordinate the tech support, web services, and training by providing a comprehensive technology plan that causes minimal disruption of day-to-day business," Christina says. Mike goes on to say “The development of the Boundless Connections Technology Center will provide a place for the community to discover how technology is being utilized in various areas of life. Silicon Valley does this on a grand scale for urban settings. We’d like to facilitate conversations in our region about how we can use technology to address local matters."

The tech center will provide a focal point for young and old with various skill-sets and interests to collaborate and utilize the power of cutting-edge technology. This can be anything from how to help grandparents use their phones to stay in touch with their grand kids, to how regional agencies might use technology to address our regional transportation issues. No topic is too big or too small.

Risks and challenges

The main challenges for developing a technology center is making sure people understand what is available and keeping the cost low enough to make the facilities accessible to everyone. We have a plan of action to address both of these issues.

In order to introduce the center to the community we will be scheduling tours of the facilities with area organizations, colleges, and schools. We will also have various "topics of discussion" each day to link technology with various interests groups such as "Technology for Teachers" and "Tech for Tots."

To keep the costs low, we are setting up passes and memberships as flexible as one day through a full year so that people can engage as often or as little as they want. We will also be working with area agencies and organizations to sponsor passes and memberships for their workforce and clients. Passes and memberships can also be gifted to others - a perfect birthday or anniversary gift for the hard-to-buy-for person.

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Support TECH Unleashed

This is an opportunity to provide a scholarship for one participant for one year of the TECH Unleashed program - a core pipeline program embedded in the Technology Center initiative. Read more about the program at TechUnleashed.org/about-us/

In addition to be listed as a sponsor of the TECH Unleashed pipeline program on our website and in press releases, you will get a VIP T-Shirt and a hand written thank-you from the TECH Unleashed participants.